11944/Trying to cool off.

Trying to cool off.
Date of Scene:	08 August 2020
Location:	Swimming Pool - Xavier's School
Synopsis:	Jimmy and Shannon have one of their long conversations that seem to draw them closer and closer.
Cast of Characters:	Warpath, Nightingale

---

Warpath has posed:
     He swims like the proverbial fish. Several lengths each direction before he comes up for air. Something about him makes it clear even in the water he is annoyed or put out about something. She's seen him swim before, but not like this. He can swim fast too. The rumors about how fast he can run start to seem a little less like rumors.

Nightingale has posed:
     This time, Shannon does not even get in the water, as tempting as it is. Though she has her black bandeau bikini on, it's more to soak up the late afternoon rays of the sun while the weather still permitted such a thing. She's laid out on a towel not far from the pool, right where she can just turn her head and watch Mr. Proudstar swimming. Something about it was... not right. Usually, he struck her as very calm, cool, and collected. This seemed different, somehow. It was like a person trying to bleed off energy.

     Of course, having seen him during the training session in the Danger Room--the one she remained incredibly proud of, to have been asked to take part in with the X-men, despite being only a student--she knew full well that the rumors about his abilities were just that. Rumors. The truth was likely far more incredible.

Warpath has posed:
     He swims a few more lenghts and finally he comes up from the water and leans on the side of the pool. He's a little more at ease. Not a lot, but some. Most people climb out of the pool, but at the shallow end he stands up and just about steps out of the pool like it's just a minor stair case.

Nightingale has posed:
     While Shannon knew that Warpath was anything but small, witnessing him step out of the pool as if it were no more than taking the staircase two steps at a time for most normal people was another kettle of fish entirely! It seemed the swim had done him some good, so she just shakes her head, smiles a little bit, and turns her face back towards the sun, closing her eyes and soaking in the rays.

     Perhaps at least this way, she had a prayer at staying out of trouble.

Warpath has posed:
     He stretches a few times and walks over near where you are laying down. He takes a seat on a chair and closes his eyes to take in some of the sun as well. There is a long quiet and finally he comments softly,"Trying to get a tan or just worshipping the warmth?" There is a smirk and he adds,"Chaos magnet."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon does something she rarely does when he smirks and tries out another nickname on her. She actually flinches, as if struck. "Listen, I'm trying to stay out of trouble here, okay? Figured if it's not safe just trying to get a little bit of a tan while the weather's still nice, right here on bloomin' school grounds, then where /is/ it safe and chaos-free?"

Warpath has posed:
     There is a deep sigh and he opens his eyes again, turning towards you and sits forward some,"OK." he comments finally,"There is nothing safe in the world ever." he tells you,"Not even at the school. Chaos follows everyone and everywhere. People make light of things so they can get past them. If me giving you any sort of trouble and teasing you with other names then I won't anymore." He stands up and seems for all intents and purposes to be heading back towards the house to shower and change again.

Nightingale has posed:
     There is an equally deep sigh from Shannon, the winged teen flipping over on her side and propping herself up on one elbow to look over at Warpath. "That... was wrong of me. I shouldn't have snapped. I'm sorry." She's quiet for several moments, pushing herself up to sitting on her towel in something of a cross-legged pose.

     "I know it's not always safe even here. Some months ago there was an attack right here on the grounds, and a teammate got ripped up but good. I had to watch the other healer we had at the time elbow-deep in her insides putting her back together again. I've seen kids my own age get /killed/ for standing up for what's right out there."

     She bows her head in shame, her wings drooping as well. "I don't go looking for trouble, but I'm not going to shy away from it if it happens, either. You've probably seen and endured far worse. I... don't worry about the nicknames, I've just got to develop a thicker skin, that's all. It's okay."

Warpath has posed:
     He turns back towards you and studies you a moment. Finally he takes a seat again and tells you,"You're still a teenager. It's been a long time since I was a teenager." he tells you simply,"I don't begin to know how to interact much past watching your back in a fight, teaching you better ways to fight, and making sure you know the difference between what some people say is history and what history actually is."

     He reaches over and nudges your shoulder with his hand lightly,"As for thicker skin, one of us has thick skin, maybe one of us should still be kind hearted and innocent and that ship sailed a long time ago."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Graduation will come sooner than either of us realize. It's already been a year since I came here, but it feels like just yesterday my folks brought me here. But there's been a lifetime of living and yet more to come." Shannon tilts her head, peering up at Warpath, considering. "You're doing better than you think, interacting. You don't treat me like an idiot, or like some clueless kid. You just... treat me as I imagine you would anyone else. That counts for a lot."

     Reaching out with one wing, she nudges his shoulder with the edge; the limb is really rather strong on its own, by necessity. "And I think you're more kindhearted than you let on to most. So that ship hasn't entirely sailed."

Warpath has posed:
     "You'll be a full fledged X-Man or you'll move on to other things then." he tells you softly and shrugs,"When I went to join with the Hellions everyday was an adventure." he comments. There is a smirk and he tells you softly,"I treat you the way you you deserve to be treated." he assures you,"Just because you are younger doesn't make you any less responsible or worth my time."

Nightingale has posed:
     "And that's how I wish more people would treat each other. Doesn't matter how old or young they are, or where they're from, or race, or gender, or anything else. In the end, it's all just people." Shannon smiles sadly, shaking her head. "I know a lot of the world doesn't see it that way, though, or there wouldn't need to be anything like this school, or the X-men, or even the New Mutants, or any other team out there. Just because I'm younger and still try to hold on to hope, doesn't mean I'm not realistic, too."

     She smiles faintly, closing her eyes and leaning forward, her elbows on her knees, and her chin in her hands. "Either way I'm planning on staying put here. Maybe... just maybe as one of the X-men. Silly dream, but there it is. But at the same time, I always worry that somehow, I'm not good enough for that. But if that were the case... then I don't think Mr. Summers would have had me in on that one training session. He does things with a purpose in mind, always."

Warpath has posed:
     He listens to you talking and he shrugs,"I was taught things a little different than most people." he tells you,"A tribe takes care of the tribe, not just one member. So I carried that with me everywhere I go." He studies you thoughtfully and tells you,"So you work hard, train hard, and make sure you are the best of your class when graduation comes."

     "Once you are in the X-Men you will do all you can to make them better." he continues,"That's what you do. You bring out the best in those around you. You also make them want to watch out for you like a team should."

Nightingale has posed:
     "I wish there wasn't a need for a team like the X-men... that people of all stripes could live together and just /be/. But we both know the world isn't that simple. It's not all sunshine and roses all the time. It can get ugly. Sometimes in small ways, sometimes a lot more."

     Shannon shrugs and lets out a soft sigh, closing her eyes. "I do work hard, and train hard. Maybe harder than I should at my age. I also plan on teaching, and studying medicine, so there's that, too. But... I still don't plan on giving up on my other dream, helping you and Mr. Summers, and Miss Grey, and all the others on the team. Like all of you have always helped me."

Warpath has posed:
     "There is a way that the X-Men wouldn't be needed for here, but there is still a lot of things out there." he comments and points towards the sky,"Even if we managed to get peace on Earth for all sapient species there would be something. Natural disasters. Alien invasion." he comments. He's more talkative than usual and then he stops.

     He looks at you, very seriously and tells you,"The other night when we were at the museum you put yourself into the thick of it very well. I intend to talk to Jean and Scott about that. You put your life out there and caused yourself harm to protect another."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Realistically, I could have just bound that guard's wound," Shannon says, opening her eyes and looking out over the water of the pool. "And I wouldn't have been wrong. But wounds like he had usually take minor surgery to repair, and at least twelve weeks of recovery. But he was an older gentleman, and age can often slow healing. He didn't deserve to suffer through that, when he was just doing his duty." She shrugs, and adds, "So as soon as I was sure nobody else was going to need me, I took care of him."

     Turning to look at Warpath, her cheeks color slightly, but there is a faint smile in evidence. "I've gotten used to it," she replies. "Though I think maybe Miss Grey and Mr. Summers might wish it otherwise. But sometimes, I worry it makes them look bad, when I go out there, and wind up in trouble, like they're not doing what they're supposed to." She sighs softly, and rests her head in her hands again, closing her eyes. "I don't want that for them, but if things happen out there, I can't be blind to it, either."

Warpath has posed:
     "You must do what you think is right of course." he tells you seriously,"You did what your instincts said. You stabilized him, made sure he was out of danger, assessed the surroundings, and acted the way a healer acts." he continues,"You took harm to help another....not exactly how a typical healer works, but you aren't a typical healer either." he adds.

     "You have a purpose and desire to take care of people. That it what you do." he continues. Wow, why do you make him end up making him talk too much,"You're hard on the vocabulary kid. I have to keep using mine when you are around."

Nightingale has posed:
     "I'm not sure I'd have done quite so well if you hadn't been there," Shannon says, smiling a little bit. "In the end, there's still a lot I have to learn. And I'm glad to be learning from you. Sure, you may be a teacher. But I don't think that means you can't be a friend, too."

     Pursing her lips, she furrows her brows, thinking for a moment. "I'm... not entirely sure if the man who helped us get out of there wasn't more than he seemed on the surface. It's nothing concrete I could put my finger on again, and I may never know without running into him again. But what are the odds of that?" She shrugs. "Wait, in my case, don't answer that one!"

Warpath has posed:
     "You would have adjusted to the situation and adapted when necessary." he tells you seriously,"I'm glad to have a chance to teach you as well." he adds,"I think friends is acceptable."

     "There was magic around two of them. A lot of magic. They weren't remotely normal." he comments after thinking about the situation for a moment,"I can't say much more than that because I didn't train with magic as much as most would in my tribe. You are right though. Not normal." There is a soft laugh and goes from soft to echoing at your antics. When he finally settles he tells you,"OK. I won't tell you the odds. I think you already figured that out."

Nightingale has posed:
     "The last time I felt something like that, it turned out I met one of the old gods of Greece. Poseidon." Shrugging, Shannon goes silent for a few moments. "But there's very little to go on here. At this point, it would be speculation as to what they were, and /then/ who they were."

     Her eyebrows loft as she hears that laugh, unable to keep from smiling. "You'll probably tell me anyways, plus a new nickname. And I'm glad to have you for a friend."

Warpath has posed:
     He raises a brow and nods at the mention of a Greek god,"It is hard to be sure." he agrees and gets up again. There is a laugh again as he tells you,"I'll let you wonder about the odds for a while." Looking towards the house he adds,"As for a new nickname. I'm working on it, but I'll figure it out soon enough. You need to get your sun and I need to get some work done before the weekend sets in for real."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's smile widens, and she chuckles softly. "Laughter suits you," she remarks. "It balances out your nickname well. And I'm keeping mine, though you're welcome to keep trying to make up a new one."

     Uncurling herself from her cross-legged pose, she settles back down on the towel on her back, her wings spread out to the sides, and just... sprawls there, soaking up the life-giving rays of the sun. "Let me know if you want help," she murmurs, indulging in a rare moment of relaxation. Perhaps a little -too- rare. "And... thank you, just for being you."